Wasatch Junior High students attend emotional assembly

 A Red Ribbon Week assembly hit particularly close to home for many of the students at Wasatch Junior High on Oct.14.

 Former Skyline High student Cameron White spoke to students about a decision he made that devastated two families. That decision was to drink and drive on the night of Feb. 9, 2007.

 Cameron, then a 17-year-old senior at Skyline, was driving his mother’s Jeep Cherokee on 2000 East beneath the I-80 overpass when he swerved across the median and struck a vehicle driven by 42-year-old Chris Williams.

 Killed in the accident was Williams’ wife, Michelle, 41, who was seven months pregnant; their son, Ben, 11; and daughter, 9-year-old, Anna. Chris Williams and son, Sam, 6, were injured but survived. Another son, Michael, 14, was not in the car that night.

 “You don’t ever think something like this will ever happen to you,” Cameron said. “I felt ok when I got in the car, but the next thing I knew the jeep was upside down.” He left the scene on foot and was arrested several blocks away, where he told police he was too drunk to perform field sobriety tests.

 Up to that point in his life, things had been going pretty well. Cameron was a popular student, got good grades; he was a starter for the Skyline Eagles football team, and was an Eagle Scout.

 Cameron, now 22, was convicted and served three years in a youth correctional facility.

“I want you all to ask yourself; what is a true friend? A true friend looks out for your good. Surround yourself with those kind of friends,” he told the students.

 His parents, Ron and Marilyn White, joined him at the assembly. Ron White also spoke to the students as well.

“You make choices every day,” Ron White said. “Many times choices are made that cannot be taken back. Some of the choices Cameron made that night are some of the same choices many of you made this last weekend. I know this is the case.” He challenged the students, “If you were around alcohol last weekend, decide now it will be your last time.”

 Many of the students were visibly touched during the assembly.

 “I just want to warn you to not do what I did,” Cameron said. “Don’t just listen to me with your ears. Please listen with your heart too.”